A new challenge

LRCC President Kalicki is ready for an adventure as he steps down

By RICK GREEN, LACONIA DAILY SUN

LACONIA — At age 63, Scott Kalicki is ready for something new.

He announced last week that he will resign at the end of this academic year as president of Lakes Region Community College, a job he has held since 2011.

"I am stepping away from the college, in a retirement sort of a way, but personally I am not quite ready to retire professionally," he said. "I want to explore a new challenge, a new opportunity, a new adventure, hopefully the chance to make a contribution to or to serve a new organization," he said.

Kalicki has worked in higher education for more than 30 years. His parents were in the restaurant business.

"What else can I do?" he asked. "Maybe teach, maybe another organization, maybe something in higher education, but maybe a new challenge like a not-for-profit, a charity, maybe something in the Lakes Region."

He also said his present age may be a good time to travel or do something new "before I get too many miles on my tires."

His tenure at the college has been a successful one.

The campus has grown and provides more options for students than it once did.

"When I came here there were two buildings," he said. "We doubled the size of campus, adding a health and science building and an automotive technology building."

In September, the school will begin a partnership with Toyota and become one of the company's training centers.

There has been a growing recognition that students can save money by attending their first two years at a community college and that an associate's degree is a good option for some people who don't want to pursue a job that doesn't require a four-year school.

"We've done a lot of work on focusing on how we get students to complete college at a faster rate so they save money and get into the workforce," Kalicki said.

The school has also worked with local industry leaders interested in a well-trained workforce. It is offering a new degree in hospitality management and a revised degree in restaurant management.

A 48-unit apartment complex serves as a kind of residence hall, so that students have a chance to stay local but have 'the real college' experience.'

Kalicki, a Gilford resident, said the community college enjoys strong support throughout the area.

"This has been the most welcoming community," he said. "It embraces the community college and there's been a wonderful partnership."

Participating in the "Read for the Record" early childhood literacy campaign in 2012, LRCC President Dr. Scott Kalicki reads "Frankie Stein" at Pleasant Street School. He is ending his time at the community college at the end of this school year. (File/Karen Bobotas/for The Laconia Daily Sun)